So here's the situation- I got accused of violating my schools code of conduct. Someone accused me of reviewing notes in between sessions of my closed book exam (which is bullsh!t, was completely inadvertent, had a few outlines open when I opened my laptop and it was on my screen for a few mins before I opened the exam software, but I absolutely did NOT read the notes, I had no reason to cheat on the exam). At any rate, I've been charged with violating the code and have to go through pretty much a trial process. I really want to defend myself but after talking to the Dean I highly suspect that the process is not like a crim trial (ie no "innocent til proven guilty) and she's stongly recommending to come to some type of negotiated agreement. The problem with the agreement (outside of possibly receiving an F in a class that I studied my a$$ off for) is that there will be a note of the incident and agreement on my perm record and will be sent to every bar committee that I try to sit for the exam. I feel angry/cheated/scared etc...I'm thinking that I'll never be able to sit for any bar exam once they see the note, I'll 4ever look like a cheater. Anyone have any experience with something similar or have any insite?

Is it a state school that you're going to? If so, maybe you have a procedural due process right before they put a permanent mark on your record that may impact your educational and employment future...

You should note it on your law school applications, in fact you're required to by LSAC. Quite honestly, if the bar finds out, and you never reported it, then it becomes a compounded problem with misrepresentation and fraud on top of academic code of conduct violation. If your school penalizes you, then they certainly will document the issue. Be sure to obtain a copy of the document so that you can submit it to the law school you apply to and the bar so that they can objectively assess the issue. They won't really care about your side of the story, because it's inevitably going to be biased. If you do it the right way it will almost certainly be a non-issue. Also, law schools regularly accept people who report their past mishaps, so don't think it will necessarily negatively affect you. It shows a truly moral character to report one's past mishaps. But don't report anything until you've formerly been found guilty and penalized.

So here's the situation- I got accused of violating my schools code of conduct. Someone accused me of reviewing notes in between sessions of my closed book exam (which is bullsh!t, was completely inadvertent, had a few outlines open when I opened my laptop and it was on my screen for a few mins before I opened the exam software, but I absolutely did NOT read the notes, I had no reason to cheat on the exam). At any rate, I've been charged with violating the code and have to go through pretty much a trial process. I really want to defend myself but after talking to the Dean I highly suspect that the process is not like a crim trial (ie no "innocent til proven guilty) and she's stongly recommending to come to some type of negotiated agreement. The problem with the agreement (outside of possibly receiving an F in a class that I studied my a$$ off for) is that there will be a note of the incident and agreement on my perm record and will be sent to every bar committee that I try to sit for the exam. I feel angry/cheated/scared etc...I'm thinking that I'll never be able to sit for any bar exam once they see the note, I'll 4ever look like a cheater. Anyone have any experience with something similar or have any insite?

You should note it on your law school applications, in fact you're required to by LSAC. Quite honestly, if the bar finds out, and you never reported it, then it becomes a compounded problem with misrepresentation and fraud on top of academic code of conduct violation. If your school penalizes you, then they certainly will document the issue. Be sure to obtain a copy of the document so that you can submit it to the law school you apply to and the bar so that they can objectively assess the issue. They won't really care about your side of the story, because it's inevitably going to be biased. If you do it the right way it will almost certainly be a non-issue. Also, law schools regularly accept people who report their past mishaps, so don't think it will necessarily negatively affect you. It shows a truly moral character to report one's past mishaps. But don't report anything until you've formerly been found guilty and penalized.

So here's the situation- I got accused of violating my schools code of conduct. Someone accused me of reviewing notes in between sessions of my closed book exam (which is bullsh!t, was completely inadvertent, had a few outlines open when I opened my laptop and it was on my screen for a few mins before I opened the exam software, but I absolutely did NOT read the notes, I had no reason to cheat on the exam). At any rate, I've been charged with violating the code and have to go through pretty much a trial process. I really want to defend myself but after talking to the Dean I highly suspect that the process is not like a crim trial (ie no "innocent til proven guilty) and she's stongly recommending to come to some type of negotiated agreement. The problem with the agreement (outside of possibly receiving an F in a class that I studied my a$$ off for) is that there will be a note of the incident and agreement on my perm record and will be sent to every bar committee that I try to sit for the exam. I feel angry/cheated/scared etc...I'm thinking that I'll never be able to sit for any bar exam once they see the note, I'll 4ever look like a cheater. Anyone have any experience with something similar or have any insite?

Oh, so then if you didn't report it on your law school application, that may be a problem. You might have to retroactively amend your application, unless you want to risk having the ABA finding out you misrepresented yourself on your application, which would be far worse.